In a Daily Caller piece today, Jon Schweppe, former campaign director for former Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17), points to what happened in the 2014 race – when the Democrats circulated mailings that were chocked full of untruths and half-truths.
(He points to an Illinois Review story HERE)
Why is it important in 2016? Because, Schweppe says, Republican candidates will face the same slick tactics with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket. They should be prepared for it:
If Democrat operatives find Donald Trump to be unpopular enough, they will tie a GOP candidate to him in a New York minute, even if the GOP candidate publicly voices opposition to Trump.
I understand conviction. I understand opposing Trump on moral grounds. If a GOP candidate is ideologically #NeverTrump and feels compelled to say something about it, okay, whatever. But let’s not pretend this will impact the Democrats’ strategy in any way. They won’t hold back.
Democrats are still going to attack Republican candidates for supporting the “Party of Trump.” They are still going to say the GOP wants to Build A Wall, Deport Them All™. Congressman Bob Dold (R-Illinois), a fiercely pro-immigration reform Republican who publicly voiced opposition to Trump, is being attacked by the DCCC for being “anti-immigrant.” Yes. For real.
The truth, Schweppe says, ultimately, doesn’t matter. If you’re a Republican this cycle, your electoral fate is tied to Donald Trump’s electoral fate. His victory is your victory. His loss is your loss. So why work against him?
